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Society |
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Society was traditionally divided into the zhung (monarchy and bureaucracy),
dratshang (religious community), and misey (people) without a caste system.
During the medieval period, when a loose form of feudalism prevailed, people
working for the kings and lords in different dzongs (forts) were categorized by
their professions. But the division was not rigid since anyone could rise to the
highest position. All people were taxpayers.
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Ethnic Groups |
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There are three main ethnic groups. Sharchop largely live in eastern Bhutan and
the Ngalop of western Bhutan were people of Tibetan descent who immigrated as early
as the fifth century. People of Nepalese origin settled in the south of the country
toward the end of the nineteenth century. However, the ethnic division is becoming
blurred with increasing intermarriage, migration, and settlements.
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Food |
Staple diet is red rice, buckwheat, wheat, maize, pork, beef, chicken, yak meat,
cheese and chilies, which are taken as vegetable and not as spice.
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